Evolve With Mary: December 2013

Happy New Years Eve

I don't have any big plans tonight. Well let me rephrase that, I have plans to enjoy a romantic dinner in San Francisco with my boyfriend tonight. No big parties, or trips out of town, I'm keeping it simple, low key and under cover.

I had a blast in DC for Christmas. The weather wasn't too bad, and I always have a great time when my family is involved.

I flew to Phoenix Arizona early Friday morning. I've been flying a lot, so my body clock is all messed up. As soon as I arrived I went shopping for some clothes better suited for 70 degree weather. This weekend was filled with exploring Scottsdale Arizona, eating amazing food, and relaxing.

We came back to The Bay Area yesterday and I was so tired I slept until 1pm. If anyone knows me I usually have a hard time sleeping past 9am. I was beat.

I'm finally getting back on track, and I just realized I'll be flying to Wisconsin on Saturday. This should be a fast trip, but I'm not looking forward to the below zero temperate that I know is coming. I have to buy a thick winter coat to battle the midwest winter elements.

All that said, I've noticed a lot of weight loss challenges/ New Years resolutions posted on different blogs, Facebook and Instagram. Because I found so many different challenges I figure I would share my top 3 with you, instead of created a weightloss challenge of my own.

I'm not really into the "I have to loose weight this year" New Years Resolution. I only believe in making small lifestyle changes to reach your goals. That way your changes will stick instead of gaining weight after a diet, you change your eating habits and the way you look at food long term. That doesn't mean that these challenges don't work, or that you shouldn't partake in the fun. Sometimes you need a little jump start. I plan on using these challenges/programs throughout the year to help me stay on track when I get tired of my regular routines.

Enjoy

Lets talk Fitness Resolutions

My friend Anna at www.greenglowlove.blogspot.com created this green smoothie challenge that looks tasty and healthy all at the same time

7 Day Green Smoothie Challenge Jan 1-7

www.greenglowlove.blogspot.com

Rules:
1. Make 1 green smoothie a day for 7 days

2. Post picture of your Green smoothie with hashtag #greengrowlove

3. At the end of the week she will choose the follower with the best looking green smoothies and they will win a Kimberly Snyder's "The Beauty Detox Solution"

4. Enjoy yourself and good luck

All green smoothies can be found on her blog www.greenglowlove.blogspot.com

She will be posting helpful tips and advice during the challenge, if you have any questions comment or message her on Facebook or Instagram @greenglowlove

Let food be they medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food
-Hippocrates

I love this challenge. I love Green Glow love, I plan on participating, smoothies are nutritious and delicious.

Reach your health and financial goals for 2014

Meatless Mondays
www.powerbyplabtsdiet.com

Participating in Meatless Monday will knock two goals off you list.

Rules
NO MEAT ON MONDAYS

Veggies are definitely more cost effective per pound then meat and, they'll help shrink your waistline. Don't you just love multitasking.

On Instagram tag #powerbyplants for them to feature your photo. Make the holidays easy with their Party Recipe ebook free.
@powerbyplants

My boyfriend has been doing meatless Mondays for the last 6 months. He lost about 20 pounds and he actually looks forward to not consuming meat for an entire day. Since I'm already meatless this challenge isn't really a challenge for me. But I still support it!

Transformational Georgia's
Weight loss Challenge
Starting January 11th

Instagram @transformatinalgeorgia

Who wants to loose weight and in an awesome fitbit force? She got one for Christmas and she loves it. It records sleep patterns, calories burned, steps climbed, ect.

It will be a 2 month challenge starting January 11th, the person that looses the most body fat% wins.

To enter email Georgia at gtusg@gmail.com

She will also supply everyone with a food guide and weight loss support.

Georgia and I became friends through Instagram. She is a huge inspiration to me and many other people. Check her out on Instagram at @transformationalgeorgia

Those are my top 3 realistic and doable weight loss resolutions. There are millions out there, if you don't see one you like research and find one that fits your wants and needs

Go for it!
2014 is your year!!

Happy New Years friends!
Talk to you next year!
Blessings
Mary

Sent from my iPhone

Hi friends!

I know it's late but I still want to say:

I had a joy filled Christmas. I got presents that I really enjoyed, and my family seemed to like everything I got them. After a fun morning/afternoon of opening presents we packed ourselves into 2 cars and went to our Annual Family Christmas Brunch at my Nana's house.

There is nothing like Christmas time with the family. I felt like a little kid, my oldest sister brought me a cute outfit, it was so even got to wear some new clothes on Christmas, just like when I was younger.

Here are a few fun family picture.

That's it today guys. I'm jumping on a on a plane heading for Arizona tomorrow morning. It seems like it never stops, and I love it.

Blessings Friends,

Mary

Hi friends,

I'm back! I've been super busy making 120+ mason jars Christmas presents the last 5 days. It was a crazy journey, and it stressed me out, but it was worth every hour it took. Check out the pictures.

Gingerbread sugar scrub

Peppermint sugar scrub

Herbal Detox Tea

Hot chocolate mix

Cookies for Santa

(I also created a gluten free and vegan cookies for two family members with dietary restrictions.)

S'more Kits with freshly made graham crackers and marshmallows

The presents were a hit. Everyone was surprised and impressed with the effortI put into everything.

Keeping in my holiday traveling tradition, I flew out of San Francisco this morning at 8am, now I'm heading to The Washington DC area. The lines weren't too bad, and I got priority seating which always makes any trip better. Gotta love 1st class baby.

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas. I'll be in touch.

Blessings

Mary

Hi friends

So sorry I've been MIA, I got super sick. Last weekend we went to Tampa Florida, as much as I enjoyed the weather, it was strange to see Christmas lights on palm trees, it almost felt like LA. On the flight home my ears wouldn't pop, and on Monday morning I woke up in excruciating pain. I took it easy and felt pretty good by the end of the day.

Tuesday I hit the ground running, I set off at 8am to hit the gym and go to more then a few different stores to get all the ingredients for my DIY Christmas gift. After a quick cardio session, I showered and headed to my first stop, by stop number two my ears were throbbing, but I kept moving forward. By stop number 3 I felt a migraine coming on and I popped 2 extra strength Tylenol. By stop number 4 my headache was only getting worst, it was so bad I wasn't sure if I could make the drive home, let alone to the next 5 stops I needed to make, so I pulled over at a drug store and purchase a bottle of excedrine migraine, excedrine usually always does the trick for me. Within 5 miles from that drug store I felt shaky, weak, sick, and just not myself. I wasn't sure if I could make the drive home, so I pulled over in a residential neighborhood and laid down for 20 minutes or so until I felt comfortable enough to drive home. It was the longest drive of my life.

As soon as I got home my boyfriend made me give him the blow by blow of what happened. He told me I didn't eat enough food, and I also took too much medicine. I'm pretty sure he was correct. He made me get in bed, made sure I drank plenty of water, and put me in bed. I woke up about an hour later feeling 70% better. After a shower I felt about 75% better, but I knew I had to finish my errands if I was going to stay on track to complete my shopping trip.

I made it to the last 3 stores, I felt weak, and still a little shaky, but I knocked everything out.

All that said, today I'm taking it super easy. I plan on finishing up a few scarfs, and completing mason jar cookies for Santa, hot chocolate, and my homemade s'more kit.

I feel 90% better. Last night I knocked out gingerbread scrub, peppermint scrub, and detox tea. Check out my progress

Lets talk Sugar Scrubs

I use sugar scrubs 2 sometimes 3 times a week. Since I'm getting older I'm very attentive to my skin. Exfoliation is the key to soft stubble skin. Yes please

Gently apply a scoop full of scrub to wet skin Ina circular motion, concentrating on dry patches and rough areas. Rinse with warm water

Gingerbread Scrub

15 cups sugar

15 cups brown sugar

7-10 cups melted coconut oil

3 tablespoons vanilla

3 tablespoons cinnamon

3 tablespoons all spice

3 tablespoons ginger

3 tablespoon nutmeg

in a medium bowl combine all ingredients except oils

gradually add melted coconut oil until scrub reaches desired consistency

you may use more or less of stated amount

scoop gingerbread scrub into mason jar

Peppermint Scrub

15 cups of sugar

5-7 cups of melted coconut oil

4-7 drops of red food coloring

10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil

pour sugar into mixing bowl

add coconut oil until
desired consistency is reached; stir

place a few drops of peppermint
essential oil into the mixture

divide your sugar scrub mix into
2 equal parts

add food coloring into one of the portions (be careful not to add too much)

in mason jar, alternate pink and white layers of sugars to create a candy cane effect. Press sugar down with a spoon to compact between layers

Lets talk Detox Tea

This tea was fun to make, and its actually tasty, with a little honey.

2 tablespoon of each herb

Dandelion Root

Used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, bruises, increase urine production, laxative, skin toner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic.

Likely safe for most people when used in amounts commonly found in food.

Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Burdock Root

Used to increase urine flow, kill germs, reduce fever, purify blood, treats colds, cancer, anorexia, nervosa, gastrointestinal complaints, joint pain, gout, bladder infections, complications of syphilis, acne, psoriasis, high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, liver disease and increased sex drive.

Safely used as a food in Asia.

Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Orange Peel

Used to increase appetite, reduce phlegm, treats colds, coughs, intestinal gas, acid indigestion, and cancerous breast sores. Also used in treating kidney stones, high cholesterol, and preventing high blood pressure, prostate cancer, and stroke.

Safe for most adults

Use caution if pregnant and or breast feeding

Hibiscus Flower

Used to treat loss of appetite, colds, heart, and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling, fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm, as a gentle laxative, and as a diuretic to increase urine output

Safe for most people, possible side effects are not known

Unsafe to take during pregnancy and breast feeding

Rose Hips

Used to prevent or treat colds, flu, and vitamin C deficiencies, stomach disorders, diarrhea, constipation, gallstones, gallbladder, ailments, lower urinary tract and kidney disorders, fluid retention, gout, back and leg pain, diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss, high blood pressure, chest ailments, fever, increasing immune function during exhaustion, increase blood flow to the limbs, increasing urine flow and quenching thirst

Milk Thistle Seed

Used for liver disorders, loss of appetite, heartburn, gallbladder complaints, diabetes, hangover, diseases of the spleen, prostate cancer, malaria, depression, uterine complaints, increasing breast milk flow, allergy symptoms, and starting menstrual flow

Milk thistle is likely safe for most adults, sometimes causes a laxative effect, less common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, intestinal gas, bloating, fullness or pain, and loss of appetite. Avoid use if pregnant and or breast feeding

Cinnamon Stick

For taste